Basic Description

Another underated and rare Grammostola in the tarantula hobby. The Grammostola formosa originated in subtropical parts of Paraguay. They are mainly found in a places like the Gran Chaco and Asuncion. This species range from black with white highlight to dark grey in coloration. As they mature, their black coloration intensifies and their white highlight starts to fade and they start to resemble Grammostola pulchra. On their early stage, they have a mirror patch that are visible and some of the individuals ranges to dark grey to black with a bunch of white hair all over their body that makes them more distinct from other Grammostola. From slings to mature individual these specimens are very robust and bulky. They have thick legs, big abdomen, and as they reach adult stage their carapace becomes more massive and define. They can reach a size of 6" but with optimal care they can grow close to 6 1/2". This species produce medium egg count per sac. Their sac usually ranges from 150 to 200 eggs compare to other species of big tarantulas that can produce 500 to 2000 per sac. Despite being establish for so long not a lot of people work with this species therefore most people only get them when they are imported. With the combination of it being very hard to breed, slow growth rate, small breeding groups in the US and a high demand for this species makes a pure blood Grammostola formosa hard to find.

Controversy

Unfortunately from all the black grammostola that were imported in the past years and labeled as Grammostola pulchra, Grammostola formosa was also one of them. There are a posibilities that some of the specimens were crossed with other Grammostola species.

Temperament

Grammostola formosa is one of the best beginner pet tarantulas. Most individuals are very docile and hardy. They are usually out from their house or burrow which is perfect as a display pet. From 1 - 10 being ten the most aggressive this specie is 1 to 2 in most individuals. I have raised 100s of individuals and they have the best personality from all the species of tarantulas I worked with. They move very slow and have a very sweet demeanor. I never witness any type of aggression from this species which is why they are my top recommendation for first time tarantula hobbyist.

Diet

In captivity they usually feed on crickets, roaches, mice, small reptiles and amphibians. They only eat once or twice a week. Depending on the size of the abdomen of the tarantula, they can survive for weeks without eating.

Housing

Tarantulas can be house in different size containers. 1 inch tarantula can be house in a deli cup. 3-5 inch can be house in a 5 gallon tank. 6 inch and above can be house in a 10 gallon tank. They can also be house in a shoe box to save space.

Tarantulas need moist substrate so that their book lungs will not dry out. Any of the following substrate can be use, vermiculite, sphagnum moss, cocofiber and orchid bark, top soil, black forest moss and clay soil.

Water dish is required, not a lot of people know but tarantulas drink too. Make sure that the water dish is clean at all times to stop the development of bacteria in the tarantula cage.

Growth Rate

This specie grow rate from 1 - 10, 10 being the fastest and 1 being the slowest. This specie grow about 4 out of 10 speed, with daily feeding they can reach breedable size in 4 years in captivity which is power feeding but with regular feeding of once every 2 weeks they can get reach adulthood in 8 to 10 years. The life span of a tarantula is connected to its molt count.

Special Feature

Very massive in stature, one of the most docile tarantula in the hobby, dark grey color with white highlight.